Winter 2024/25 WINTER 2024/25 This project has been made possible through funds raised and donated by our Daisy Garland fundraisers and supporters. We are enormously grateful to each and every one of them. January Woolies, wellies, scarves and gloves winter is here! And a very warm welcome to our Daisy Garland Winter Green Shoots Project 🌱 Our gardens may be under frost, and in some parts of the country, snow, but so much is going on underground and quite soon green shoots will be poking their noses through the soil. There are lots of things to look out for at this time of year: snowdrops, crocuses (which feed the first early-rising bees and insects), grape hyacinths and tiny tete-a-tete daffodils, adding a much needed splash of colour to window boxes, gardens and hedgerows. Let's take a peek to see what some of our Green Shoots families are up to... "Waving from our indoor garden to all who can't wait for the spring! " Erika "We have our first shoot from the bulbs that Daisy Garland sent to us We have a poly tunnel and these have been in there its still quite cold and damp but protected from frost/snow etc." Kerriann It's so lovely to feel like you have created something. Gail "Checked my pots this weekend. Delighted to see so many little green shoots! Don't forget to check on yours too!" Sara x Some old-fashioned things like fresh air and sunshine are hard to beat. Laura Ingalls Wilder "Corey's been busy planting seeds today in school with a very big spoon coriander, basil, parsley and chives " Gail "Some shoots beginning to pop though..my dad helped us with the bulbs so there's a mix in there . Some tulips, daffodils and hyacinth I think. He's an avid gardener so apparently this is a multi-tier pot." Gail Where flowers bloom, so does hope - Lady Bird Johnson First sighting of Devon snowdrops, spotted January 19th by Sara (CEO and founder, The Daisy Garland) 💚 "After a morning of rain the sun's out. Coffee in hand, now's a good time to take stock of last year's pots to see if there's anything I can salvage. I was really surprised to see some new mint shoots 🌱 (this plant came about by rooting in a jam jar of water, a small sprig of supermarket mint which had withered in the packet and almost went in the compost! ) Great result!! 🎉 Although it needs of a bit of a tidy to cut back some of last year's woody growth. Kitchen scissors at the ready... There! That looks much better. All we need now is some lovely sunshine to encourage bushier growth. A sprig or two added to homegrown new potatoes or keto Iced Peach Tea makes all the difference! " Roll on spring! Sara x "I thought it was just weeds but you’re right, the bulbs are starting to say hello!🌱☺️" Annie "Over the moon to see Green Shoots from the bulbs we planted under our wedding tree." Kathryn "Here's Paige's Green Shoots project, the ones she planted haven't come up yet, but we did find some things coming up!" Angela A big Daisy thank you to the lovely Erika Lipelkyte for her gift of seeds which arrived beautifully packaged in the post today. Needless to say, we're very excited to include these little seed packets in some of this year's Green Shoots grow boxes. I should add that Erika has lovingly collected these seeds from her last year's crop of heritage tomatoes, chillies and dill - the latter of which smell divine! Erika, your kindness, generosity and ongoing support of our Green Shoots Project is hugely appreciated by all of us here at The Daisy Garland and I know I can say the same on behalf of our Green Shoots growers too. Thank you sow much! SARA X "We spied some little shoots just starting to peep through today " George and Ella "Morning all! The sun is shining and our first snowdrops have appeared in the garden!" Julie "Our first year of joining you, total novice so really chuffed. Yeahhh our first flowers. Sorry about the weeds, our garden is terrible for weeds, it was left unattended for 5 years before we moved in so it’s a constant battle." Kim "Mabel the dog just loves helping out... this pic was taken in the autumn when we planted our Green Shoots bulbs" Esme "Some different green shoots to force on the windowsill Left to Right: An onion to get some spring onions from, a tulip just for fun and a celery which I will plant out later in spring." Erika. "Spring has come round so quickly for your wonderful Daisy Garland Green Shoots project and we'll be excited to make a start now the greenhouse is painted. Just need some warmer dry days now. Chloe's bulbs are popping up slowly, avocado plant coming along nicely, indoor plants growing well but we've had a few pesky uninvited midges. She's also started growing garlic from a garlic clove and it grows so fast." Bridget "At long last, we have tiny signs of Spring… Luv from Rosalind and Daniel xxxxx" February Despite all that's going on in the world right now, don't these little green shoots just just fill your heart with hope... 💚 SARA X "Our spring bulbs are making an appearance too " Angela Corey's spring bulbs are looking fabulous! Just look at those miniature iris 💙 "We are getting green shoots ready " Angela and Faith "Our Bulbs are beginning to shoot up! xx" Marguerite and George The 'green shoots' are appearing xx Sarah "From the top, different varieties of tomatoes, luffa and globe artichoke and last to come through are peppers and chillies 🌶️" Mary and Esme MARKING 20 YEARS OF THE DAISY GARLAND We are extremely proud to announce that The Daisy Garland has been supporting children with drug-resistant epilepsy and their families for 20 years.To mark this milestone and celebrate our achievements we are planting a sycamore tree at Longmarsh on the banks of the river Dart (a few strides away from our office) at 10am on Friday 28th February. Jean, Nikki, Karen, David and I will be ready with our spades to settle our special sycamore - a tree which is said to connect heaven and earth and symbolises knowledge and guidance - into its forever home. If you are in the area on Friday morning please join us, we would love to see you. SARA X Watch this space for more updates coming soon 🌱 Manage Cookie Preferences